Pajero Sport vs GWM Tank 300 — Honest Comparison & Verdict
Seven seats, a frugal diesel with the range for the deep bush, full-time Super Select II 4WD and a decade-proven ownership record. The family overlander that just works.
Dual diff locks, tank turn, crawl control and a tech-loaded cabin — for a price that undercuts everything. The value and equipment sensation of the segment — in a bold, retro shape.
This isn’t a like-for-like fight — and that’s exactly what makes it interesting. A proven, seven-seat diesel overlander versus the most talked-about, feature-packed newcomer in years.
Let’s be clear about what these two are. The Pajero Sport is a seven-seat, diesel family 4×4 built for long-distance overlanding and a decade-proven ownership story. The GWM Tank 300 is a five-seat, petrol, retro-styled off-roader that arrives absolutely loaded — dual diff locks, tank turn, crawl control and a tech-heavy cabin — for a price that undercuts almost everything.
So they’re cross-shopped, but they answer different questions. The Tank 300 wins, decisively, on equipment and value — you simply cannot buy this much off-road hardware and tech anywhere else for the money. The Pajero Sport answers with the things that matter most to a long-haul SA family: two more seats, a frugal diesel with real range, full-time Super Select II 4WD, and the reassurance of a proven brand.
Here’s the honest breakdown — where the Tank 300’s value and kit are unbeatable, and where the Pajero Sport’s diesel-overlander credentials keep it ahead for the buyer this site is built for.
Power & Drivetrain Tank 300 — more power
- Diesel torque & economy — 430 Nm low-down and ~8.0 L/100km make it the long-distance and towing pick
- Far greater range — a diesel sips where the Tank’s petrol drinks, crucial for remote overlanding
- Relaxed, proven powertrain — the 4N15 and 8-speed are durable, well-understood units
- 29 kW more power — the turbo-petrol is punchy and revvy, with more outright kilowatts
- 8-speed automatic — as many ratios as the Pajero, smooth and modern
- Strong on-paper outputs — competitive straight-line pace for the price, though petrol means thirstier and less range
4WD Systems & Trail Ability Genuinely close
- Only full-time 4WD here — 4H works on tar and wet surfaces where part-time rivals can’t
- Diesel range for the deep bush — go much further between fills on a serious overland trip
- Proven Super Select II — decades of trusted refinement and durability
- On-the-fly switching — 2H to 4H at up to 100 km/h without stopping
- Front AND rear diff locks — twin lockers are rare at any price, serious for technical terrain
- Tank Turn & crawl control — tech-driven trickery the Pajero Sport can’t match
- Excellent approach & departure angles — short overhangs in a boxy, capable shape
- 9+ terrain modes — heavily equipped traction electronics straight out of the box
Practicality vs Tech Different priorities
- Seven seats — two more than the five-seat Tank 300, decisive for families
- Bigger, longer body — more cargo and people space for proper trips
- Proven, durable cabin built for hard family and bush use
- Tech showcase — twin 12.3-inch screens and a feature list that shames pricier rivals
- Bold retro-modern design — nothing else in the price range looks like it
- Astonishing standard equipment — 360 camera, lockers, crawl control and more, included
Who Should Buy Which
Pajero Sport vs Tank 300 — Full Spec Table
| Specification | Pajero Sport (Exceed) | GWM Tank 300 (2.0T 4×4) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Engine | 2.4L Turbo Diesel | 2.0L Turbo Petrol |
| Power | 133 kW | 162 kW — More |
| Torque | 430 Nm — More | 380 Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
| Fuel type | Diesel — efficient | Petrol |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | ~8.0 L/100km — Better | ~10.5 L/100km |
| Off-Road & 4WD | ||
| 4WD system | Super Select II — full-time | Part-time 4WD |
| Full-time 4WD mode | Yes (4H) | No |
| Diff locks | Rear | Front & rear — More |
| Ground clearance | 218 mm | 224 mm — More |
| Wading depth | 700 mm | 700 mm |
| Special off-road tech | 4 terrain modes | Tank Turn · Crawl · 9+ modes |
| Practicality & Towing | ||
| Seating | 7 — More | 5 |
| Braked towing | 3,100 kg — More | 2,500 kg |
| Touchscreen | Up to 9-inch | Dual 12.3-inch |
| Fuel tank | 68 L | 75 L — Larger |
| Ownership (South Africa) | ||
| Entry price (2026) | R749,900 | From R689,900 — Cheaper |
| Top-spec price (2026) | R904,990 | R820,000+ |
| Warranty | 3yr/100,000 km | 5yr/100,000 km — Longer |
| Reliability reputation | Proven — decades | Newer brand |
| Resale value | Established | Unproven (new model) |
How They Score — Out of 10
The Pajero Sport takes the overall average for the diesel-overlanding, seven-seat brief this site is built around — economy, range, seats and proven ownership. But the Tank 300 wins three big categories, including a decisive value-and-equipment landslide. For a five-seat buyer chasing kit-per-rand, that may matter more than the average.
Pajero Sport Pricing (2026)
Entry · SS4-II · 7-seat
Leather · 9″ screen · BSW
Sunroof · 360° cam · ACC
The Pajero Sport asks a little more, but you’re buying seven seats, a frugal diesel, full-time 4WD and a proven ownership story — the long-haul family case, not the lowest sticker.
Tank 300 Pricing (2026)
Petrol · part-time 4WD
Hybrid flagship
The Tank 300 dramatically undercuts the segment while bundling equipment — twin lockers, tank turn, twin screens — that costs far more elsewhere. The question marks are petrol running costs, long-term resale and a younger dealer network.
The proven family overlander
The Pajero Sport’s case is range, seats and trust: seven seats, a frugal diesel with the reach for remote travel, full-time Super Select II 4WD, more towing, and a decade-proven ownership record. For the long-haul SA family that actually goes places, it remains the dependable pick.
The value and equipment sensation
The Tank 300 rewrites the value equation: front and rear diff locks, tank turn, crawl control and a tech-loaded cabin for a price that undercuts everything. If you don’t need seven seats and equipment thrills you, nothing else comes close on kit-per-rand — just weigh the petrol economy and unproven resale.
Let’s be honest about the GWM Tank 300: it’s the most exciting value story the segment has seen in years. Twin diff locks, tank turn, crawl control and a tech-rich cabin, all for less than a base Fortuner. As a five-seat, equipment-packed off-road toy, it’s genuinely brilliant — and we won’t pretend the Pajero Sport matches it on kit-per-rand.
But this site is built for diesel-overlanding families, and on that brief the Pajero Sport answers the questions that matter most: seven seats instead of five, a frugal diesel with real range, full-time Super Select II 4WD, more towing, and a proven ownership record the newer GWM brand can’t yet claim. For the Kgalagadi-bound family, those are decisive.
Our recommendation: if you want maximum off-road hardware and tech for the money, don’t need seven seats, and you’re comfortable being an early adopter, the Tank 300 is a sensational buy. If you need a proven, frugal, seven-seat diesel that will cross the country and hold its value, the Pajero Sport is still the smarter long-term overlander. Pick the tool that fits your job.